PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to develop an optimized method of mix design for rapid-set lightweight-formed mortar mix. To achieve this objective, the workability, setting time, and compressive strength of mixes under various conditions of mix design were evaluated. METHODS: The water-bonder ratio, fly-ash substitution ratio, and forming agent injection amount were selected as design variables in the study. The fluidity, setting time, density, and strength of the mortar mix were considered as major evaluation criteria of the mixture, and were subsequently utilized to evaluate the characteristics of the mortar mix under various conditions. RESULTS : The observations made from the mix design process are as follows: 1) the air content and fluidity increase as the forming agent ratio and forming agent ratio increase, respectively; 2) the maximum air content is approximately 20%; 3) the accelerating agent decreases the fluidity of the mortar mix by 15% on average; 4) the forming agent injection ratio and fly-ash substitution ratio yield significant effects on the initial and final set times of the mortar mix; 5) as the forming agent injection ratio and fly-ash substitution ratio increase, the compressive strength of the mortar mix decreases; and 6) the 28-day compressive strengths of the forming agent injection ratio and fly-ash substitution ratio yield the most significant effects. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the governing design variables for the rapid-set lightweight-formed mortar mix are the forming agent injection ratio and fly-ash substitution ratio.
PURPOSES : The purpose of this study is to verify the property of self-healing, and to propose an appropriate duration for wet curing of bridge deck concrete overlays. METHODS: In this study, reinforced bars were inserted into concrete molds in order to prevent brittle fracture and induced cracks in the concrete resulting from indirect tension mode. The induced time of concrete cracking was 3 to 7 days, following which the concrete specimens were cured in water. The resulting concrete crack width was measured using image analysis equipment. Additionally, the self-healing tests were performed using the following three mixtures: OPC, SFC, and LMC. RESULTS: Concrete mixtures with crack widths of 150㎛ or lower were completely healed by Day 28. Hydrates of crack fills were found to be the calcium carbonate. CONCLUSIONS: The cement-based mixtures exhibit properties of self-healing. Considering these properties, it is necessary to increase the curing duration of concrete overlays for bridge decks.
PURPOSES: This paper presents a finite element model to accurately represent the soil-post interaction of single guardrail posts in sloping ground. In this study, the maximum lateral resistance of a guardrail post has been investigated under static and dynamic loadings, with respect given to several parameters including post shape, embedment depth, ground inclination, and embedment location of the steel post. METHODS: Because current analytical methods applied to horizontal ground, including Winkler’s elastic spring model and the p-y curve method, cannot be directly applied to sloping ground, it is necessary to seek an alternative 3-D finite element model. For this purpose, a 3D FHWA soil model for road-base soils, as constructed using LS-DYNA, has been adopted to estimate the dynamic behavior of single guardrail posts using the pendulum drop test. RESULTS: For a laterally loaded guardrail post near slopes under static and dynamic loadings, the maximum lateral resistance of a guardrail post has been found to be reduced by approximately 12% and 13% relative to the static analysis and pendulum testing, respectively, due to the effects of ground inclination. CONCLUSIONS: It is expected that the proposed soil material model can be applied to guardrail systems installed near slopes.
PURPOSES : This study mechanically analyzed the performance of road substructures with focus on infiltration trenches of pavement substructures. METHODS: Water contents and response times for precipitation of pavement substructures were investigated via sensors buried near the infiltration trench to measure water contents. RESULTS : The results of the water contents of pavement systems constructed with an infiltration trench yield levels that were slightly increased by approximately 2% compared to those measured from general pavement systems. This water content difference of 2% resulted in a decrease in service life of less than two years. CONCLUSIONS: Service life reduction due to an infiltration trench is minimal, particularly when the trench is installed with proper caution.
PURPOSES: This study is primarily focused on evaluating the effects of the non-linear stress-strain behavior of RAP concrete on structural response characteristics as is applicable to concrete pavement. METHODS : A 3D FE model was developed by incorporating the actual stress-strain behavior of RAP concrete obtained via flexural strength testing as a material property model to evaluate the effects of the non-linear stress-strain behavior to failure on the maximum stresses in the concrete slab and potential performance prediction results. In addition, a typical linear elastic model was employed to analyze the structural responses for comparison purposes. The analytical results from the FE model incorporating the actual stress-strain behavior of RAP concrete were compared to the corresponding results from the linear elastic FE model. RESULTS : The results indicate that the linear elastic model tends to yield higher predicted maximum stresses in the concrete as compared to those obtained via the actual stress-strain model. Consequently, these higher predicted stresses lead to a difference in potential performance of the concrete pavement containing RAP. CONCLUSIONS : Analysis of the concrete pavement containing RAP demonstrated that an appropriate analytical model using the actual stress-strain characteristics should be employed to calculate the structural responses of RAP concrete pavement instead of simply assuming the concrete to be a linear elastic material.
PURPOSES: The main purpose of this study is to develop a high elastic modulus and low-shrinkage roller-compacted concrete base (RCCB) in order to prevent fatigue cracking and reflective cracking in the asphalt surface layer of composite pavement. Using a rigid base material with low shrinkage can be a solution to this problem. Moreover, a strong rigid base with high elastic modulus is able to shift the location of critical tensile strain from the bottom of the asphalt layer to the bottom of the rigid base layer, which can prevent fatigue cracking in the asphalt layer. METHODS: Sensitivity analysis of composite pavement via numerical methods is implemented to determine an appropriate range of elastic modulus of the rigid base that would eliminate fatigue cracking. Various asphalt thicknesses and elastic moduli of the rigid base are used in the analysis to study their respective influences on fatigue cracking. Low-shrinkage RCC mixture, as determined via laboratory testing with various amounts of a CSA expansion agent (0%, 7%, and 10%), is found to achieve an appropriate low-shrinkage level. Shrinkage of RCC is measured according to KS F 2424. RESULTS : This study shows that composite pavements comprising asphalt thicknesses of (h1) 2 in. with E2 > 19 GPa, 4 in. with E2 > 15 GPa, and 6 in. with E2 > 11 GPa are able to eliminate tensile strain in the asphalt layer, which is the cause of fatigue cracking in this layer. Shrinkage test results demonstrate that a 10% CSA RCC mixture can reduce shrinkage by 84% and 93% as compared to conventional RCC and PCC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of numerical analyses using various design inputs, composite pavements are shown to be able to eliminate fatigue cracking in composite pavement. Additionally, an RCC mixture with 10% CSA admixture is able to reduce or eliminate reflective cracking in asphalt surfaces as a result of the significant shrinkage reduction in the RCC base. Thus, this low-shrinkage base material can be used as an alternative solution to distresses in composite pavement.
PURPOSES : This research was a fundamental study on the application of an integral TiO2 solution to asphalt concrete pavement. The integral TiO2 solution was produced in pilot production equipment; application of the integral TiO2 solution to asphalt pavement was conducted to examine the pollution-reducing capability of photocatalytic compounds such as TiO2. The photocatalytic TiO2 reacted with air pollutants, converting them into small amounts of relatively benign molecules. METHODS : In this study, laboratory experiments were conducted using five various testing methods. Tensile strength ratio (TSR) and British pendulum test (BPT) were conducted in order to evaluate the properties of asphalt pavement subsequent to the integral TiO2 solution coating. In addition, methylene blue testing, a measurement of nitrate on the coated pavement, and nitrogen oxide (NOx) reduction testing were conducted in order to evaluate photocatalytic reaction. Lastly, a UV-A lamp was used as a light source for photocatalytic reactions. RESULTS : Test results indicated no change in the properties of asphalt pavement following the integral TiO2 solution coating. In order to evaluate the performance of asphalt pavement as a function of TiO2, the moisture susceptibility and skid resistance were investigated. The moisture susceptibility and skid resistance satisfied there quirements related to pavement quality and safety specification. Furthermore, the effects of reduction of air pollution were significantly improved as determined via the methylene blue test and NOx reduction test. The TiO2-paved asphalt specimen exhibited approximately 43% reduction of NOx. CONCLUSIONS : This study has suggested that applying TiO2 rarely impacts asphalt pavement performance measures such as moisture susceptibility and skid resistance, and that its application may be a better means of reducing air pollution. Further studies, such as proper TiO2 dosage rates and compatibility with various pavement types, are required to broaden and generalize its application.
PURPOSES : The purpose of this study is to investigate the fundamental behaviors such as stresses and deflections of the middle slab in a double-deck tunnel for the development of a middle slab design guide. METHODS : The middle slab has been divided into the following three different sections as according to its structural differences: the normal section, expansion joint section, and emergency passageway section. The normal section of middle slab represents the slab supported by brackets installed continuously along the longitudinal direction of tunnel lining. The expansion joint section refers to a discontinuity of middle slab due to the existence of a transverse expansion joint. The emergency passageway section has an empty rectangular space in the middle slab that acts as an exit in an emergency. The finite element analysis models of these three sections of middle slab have been developed to analyze their respective behaviors. RESULTS: The stresses and deflections of middle slab at the three different sections decrease as the slab thickness increases. The emergency passageway section yields the largest stresses and deflections, with the normal section yielding the smallest. CONCLUSIONS: The stress concentrations at the corners of the passageway rectangular space can be reduced by creating hunch areas at the corners. The stresses and deflections in the emergency passageway section can be significantly decreased by attaching beams under the middle slab in the passageway area.
PURPOSES : This paper presents a comparison study between dynamic and static analyses of falling weight deflectometer (FWD) testing, which is a test used for evaluating layered material stiffness. METHODS: In this study, a forward model, based on nonlinear subgrade models, was developed via finite element analysis using ABAQUS. The subgrade material coefficients from granular and fine-grained soils were used to represent strong and weak subgrade stiffnesses, respectively. Furthermore, the nonlinearity in the analysis of multi-load FWD deflection measured from intact PCC slab was investigated using the deflection data obtained in this study. This pavement has a 14-inch-thick PCC slab over finegrained soil. RESULTS: From case studies related to the nonlinearity of FWD analysis measured from intact PCC slab, a nonlinear subgrade modelbased comparison study between the static and dynamic analyses of nondestructive FWD tests was shown to be effectively performed; this was achieved by investigating the primary difference in pavement responses between the static and dynamic analyses as based on the nonlinearity of soil model as well as the multi-load FWD deflection. CONCLUSIONS : In conclusion, a comparison between dynamic and static FEM analyses was conducted, as based on the FEM analysis performed on various pavement structures, in order to investigate the significance of the differences in pavement responses between the static and dynamic analyses.
PURPOSES: The goal of this study is to analyze the operational efficiencies of special roundabouts using simulated programs. METHODS: This study primarily focuses on comparing the delays and traffic flow disturbances occurring at special roundabouts. In this study, the operational efficiencies of 450 scenarios (5 roundabout types × traffic volumes × directional ratios × measures) are analyzed according to the corresponding delays and traffic flow disturbances using VISSIM and SSAM. RESULTS : The main results are as follows: 1) the Hamburger roundabouts are determined to yield the least common-type delays, 2) the amount of delays at Turbo and Flower roundabouts with respect to relatively increased right-turn-type delays, in addition to the amount of delays at the Left-turn slip-lane roundabout with respect to relatively increased left-turn-type delays, are found to be reduced as compared to the common-type delays. Lastly, common- and increased right-turn-type traffic flow disturbances at the Turbo roundabout and increased left-turntype traffic flow disturbances at the Left-turn slip-lane roundabout are determined to be the most infrequent. CONCLUSIONS: This study comparatively analyzes five roundabout types: standard, Flower, Turbo, Hamburger, and Left-turn slip-lane. The effectiveness of roundabouts can increase according to given traffic volume, directional ratio, and measure of effectiveness.
PURPOSES : Because elderly drivers are more prone to becoming confused when approaching an urban intersection and thus may yield prolong judgment and decision times than non-elderly drivers, to increase the comfort and safety of the intersection environment for elderly drivers, this study applied autonomous driving tests at an urban intersection to examine their driving characteristics. METHODS: To obtain a more comprehensive understanding of driving features, this study collected drive data of non-elderly drivers and elderly drivers via an autonomous experiment using OBD2 and an eye-tracker, in addition to performing a literature review on the measured visibility range of elderly drivers at intersections. This literature review was conducted considering the general knowledge of elderly drivers having relatively reduced visibility. Additionally, as they are commonly more vulnerable, this study analyzes characteristics of elderly drivers as compared to those of non-elderly drivers. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study can be summarized as follows: 1) the peripheral visible distance of elderly drivers is reduced as compared to that of non-elderly drivers; 2) elderly drivers approach and proceed through intersections at slower speeds than non-elderly drivers; and 3) elderly drivers yield increased driving distances when performing a right or left turn as compared to non-elderly drivers as a result of their reduced speed and acceleration and larger turning radii relative to non-elderly drivers.
PURPOSES : The desire of drivers to increase their driving speeds is increasing in response to the technological advancements in vehicles and roads. Therefore, studies are being conducted to increase the maximum design speed in Korea to 140 km/h. The stopping sight distance (SSD) is an important criterion for acquiring sustained road safety in road design. Moreover, although the perception-reaction time (PRT) is a critical variable in the calculation of the SSD, there are not many current studies on PRT. Prior to increasing the design speed, it is necessary to confirm whether the domestic PRT standard (2.5 s) is applicable to high-speed driving. Thus, in this study, we have investigated the influence of high-speed driving on PRT. METHODS : A driving simulator was used to record the PRT of drivers. A virtual driving map was composed using UC-Win/Road software. Experiments were carried out at speeds of 100, 120, and 140 km/h while assuming the following three driving scenarios according to driver expectation: Expected, Unexpected, and Surprised. Lastly, we analyzed the gaze position of the driver as they drove in the simulated environment using Smarteye. RESULTS: Driving simulator experimental results showed that the PRT of drivers decreased as driving speed increased from 100 km/h to 140 km/h. Furthermore, the gaze position analysis results demonstrated that the decrease in PRT of drivers as the driving speed increased was directly related to their level of concentration. CONCLUSIONS : In the experimental results, 85% of drivers responded within 2.0 s at a driving speed of 140 km/h. Thus, the results obtained here verify that the current domestic standard of 2.5 s can be applied in the highways designated to have 140 km/h maximum speed